NUS alumni enjoy trishaw experience in Little India

December 21, 2012

NUS alumni enjoyed a unique trishaw experience in Little India

Have you ever taken in the sights and sounds of Singapore’s culturally rich Little India while enjoying a trishaw ride? That was exactly what a group of 60 National University of Singapore (NUS) alumni and their relatives and friends did recently as part of a fundraising effort.

To raise funds for the NUS Economics Alumni Bursary Fund, NUS alumni organised the unique “Experience Singapore on a Trishaw” fundraising event. A total of 30 trishaws took to the street on a 45-minute journey. Each trishaw attracted a $500 sponsorship from NUS alumni and well-wishers. All proceeds from the event went towards the Fund, which was established in 2009 and supports Second Year Economics major students who need financial aid. The trishaws were sponsored by FASS’ Department of Economics, headed by Dr Julian Wright, who also showed his support by participating in the event with his family.

NUS alumnus Mr Daniel Lo (’81), Vice Chairman of the NUS Economics Alumni committee and the organiser of the event, says, “I was fortunate to be a recipient of a bursary. As an NUS alumnus, giving back to my alma mater comes as a natural response.”

On how he arrived at the idea of observing Little India’s bustling nightlife through a trishaw ride, Daniel says, “It is very unlikely that many Singaporeans will experience a trishaw ride if not for this event. There aren’t that many opportunities to ride through Little India, especially the smaller lanes.”

Indeed, participants of the event discovered many of Little India’s hidden gems while travelling through the lesser-known lanes flanked by rustic shop-houses specialising in traditional Indian produce. They also got to admire classic and famous landmarks such as the Sri Veeramakaliammam Temple, Berseh Food Centre and Raffles Hotel in a new light.

The Economics Alumni Trishaw Fundraising event was not only a refreshing way of fundraising, it also gave both old and new NUS alumni the opportunity to bond and reinforce their sense of belonging to NUS in a meaningful way.

Daniel adds, “I hope that fellow NUS alumni will continually come together to arrange more of these events to help students in need of financial support.”

For information on making a gift to NUS, contact us at 1800-DEVELOP (1800-338-3567) or emailaskdvo@nus.edu.sg.